January Business of the Month: Cathedral Home for Children

The Laramie Chamber Business Alliance would like to present the January Business of the Month honor to Cathedral Home for Children.

The Cathedral Home for Children, CHC, has been “Restoring hope, strengthening relationships, and building futures” in the Laramie Community since 1910. CHC originated as an orphanage by the Bishop through the Episcopal Church. Through the years, CHC evolved to meet the needs of the community and currently have an array of services. They provide prevention services for both Laramie and Rawlins, which includes the Laramie Youth Crisis Center, Carbon County Youth Crisis Center, Albany County Expelled and Suspended (A.C.E.S.), Bold Step, and Extended Families. This last year, the Laramie Youth Crisis center had an intake of 329 individuals. If you would like to learn more about the different services provided, please visit their website here.

The Cathedral Home for Children houses a 24/7 residential treatment program, that accepts children for various reasons ages 12 through 18. The program helps children rebuild trust with people, substance abuse, grief and loss, and any abuse and neglect they have experienced. The children live on the campus and attend fully-accredited schooling. They are able to obtain their high school diploma, not only in Wyoming but California as well. The CHC and the Albany County School District have a great relationship and allow for some children who have progressed enough through their treatment to attend some classes and after school sports programs. Some of the classes include equine assisted psychotherapy groups, equine science, culinary arts, the coffee house corner, iron riders (bike shop), and agricultural science.

Ezra Nichols Arena, owned by CHC, allows for the children to spend time with the horses year-round. The CHC has 17 horses in their herd, which can serve groups of 6 kids at a time. The Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is an integral part of the total treatment plan and allows for the kids to build trust and relationships with the animals, along with discipline, accomplishment, bonding and building self-esteem.

“Horses have always been a part of who we are,” Nicole Hauser, Cathedral Home for Children Executive Director said. “Over the last few years we have incorporated them more and more into the treatment plan.”

The Cathedral Home for Children is listed on the top-10 largest employers in Albany County having a range of about 170 to 185 employees. They also have about 10 employees that work at the location in Rawlins, which has been opened for about four years. The CHC is currently looking at establishing some outpatient services.

“I have very skilled clinicians that know how to work with traumatized adolescents, so we are trying to offer that service to the community,” Nicole Hauser said. “My staff are miracle workers. They are the absolute best.”

The CHC also has different opportunities for volunteers and internships. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit here.

The University of Wyoming partners with the CHC and provides the children with tickets to the various collegiate sporting events. Other businesses such as Hits 106.1, Toyota of Laramie, Mingles, local churches and a car club have supported the CHC throughout the years. The SAE fraternity puts on an annual Haunted House and the proceeds go to the CHC. The children do a lot of community service such as volunteering at the Laramie Soup Kitchen, the Eppson Center, and The Highway Cleanup day.

The CHC is always accepting donations and personal hygiene items, like shampoo, laundry soap, and even clothing. If you would like to donate or more information on how to get involved, visit their website here.